VA Central Iowa Health Care System

Issue: Veteran A was given Veteran B's prescription at the Pharmacy Pick-up window.

Outcome: 10/10/14: The Incident Resolution Service Team has determined that Veteran B will be sent a HIPAA notification letter due to Protected Health Information (PHI) being disclosed.…

Issue: Veteran received another Patient's records within his discharge folder.

Outcome: 12/02/2014: The Incident Resolution Team has determined that one patient will be sent a HIPAA notification letter.…

Issue: Employee A sent a medication list of the wrong patient to a non-VA care facility.

Outcome: 09/12/14: The Incident Resolution Service Team has determined that no data breach has occurred. The document was seen only by a HIPAA covered entity.…

Issue: Community Police inquired the VA on whether a specific patient had a handicap exemption through the VA. VA employee shared there was no documentation of one.…

Outcome: 08/14/14: The local police went to a CBOC and asked the nurse at the counter about the handicap exemption. The nurse looked in CPRS to provide the police with the information they wanted. The Veteran will be sent a notification…

Issue: Medication on manufacturer backorder; mailed from facility pharmacy. Veteran A reports he received his medication, but another Veteran's paperwork was contained in the package. Other patient had same drug and last name. VA Employee A contacted manufacturer and pharmacy and…

Outcome: 06/27/14: The Incident Resolution Service Team has determined that Veteran B will be sent a letter offering credit protection services.…

Issue: In early June 2014, a Veteran received VA medical documents via United States postal channels; however, the documents of another veteran were also enclosed in the same mailing. The veteran returned the documents to the facility where they were mailed…

Outcome: 06/26/14: The Incident Resolution Service Team has determined that Veteran A will be sent a letter offering credit protection services.…

Issue: Veteran A, who was enrolled at our facility, was hospitalized and discharged 2 days later for a condition falling within purview of 7332 criteria. A follow-up call was placed to Veteran A's residence but the Veteran did not take the…

Outcome: 06/06/14: The Incident Resolution Team has determined that Veteran B will be sent a HIPAA notification letter due to Protected Health Information (PHI) being disclosed.…

Issue: Veteran received test results via normal mail channels; however veteran also received test results for three other Veterans. Veteran immediately contacted VA to alert appropriate party that multiple tests results other than information belonging to veteran had been received. Contact…

Outcome: 05/30/14: The Incident Resolution Team has determined the three Veterans whose full SSNs were disclosed will be sent letters offering credit protection services.…

Issue: Employee A went on a smoke break and took document copies with order information for three patients to the designated smoking area located on VHA facility grounds area where they were subsequently lost by the employee. A search of the…

Outcome: 01/31/14: Three Veterans will be sent a notification letter.…

Issue: Veteran A reported receiving Veteran B's medication in the mail. Veteran A was asked to return the medication (to date VA has not received it). Employee who sent out the medication in error was counseled to ensure they are taking…

Outcome: 10/31/13: Veteran B will be sent a notification letter.…